Błonia Common Green

This 48 hectares (118 acre) meadow lies just 15 minutes walk away from the Main Square. Initially, Błonia belonged to the nuns of the Premonstratensian Convent who transferred it to the city in return for a townhouse in ul. Floriańska in 1366. The townhouse burned down a few years after the transaction, which initiated a centuries-long dispute between the congregation and the City Council. This was the case because the Premonstratensians regretted the unfortunate transaction and tried to recover Błonia, calling upon the assistance of the King and the Apostolic See. This was all in vain, since the great pasture that Błonia provided to the city remained the property of the municipality, and the order had to make do with the smouldering ruin...

Later, Błonia was mainly used as a grazing meadow until 1965, when the Cracovia Hotel was opened and the pasturage of cows was forbidden. Situated on Błonia are the Boulder of Józef Piłsudski and the Stone of John Paul II, known also as the Papal Altar Stone. A popular place for the organisation of a variety of events, meetings and concerts, the huge expanse of grass commands a beautiful view of the city centre, Las Wolski Forest, and the mounds.